In May of 2022, V&A celebrates 43 years in business. We are so very proud to celebrate this major milestone, and we present our company history as told by our founder, Jose Villalobos
Jose Villalobos, V&A Founder
“I wanted to create a firm where everyone’s input was welcomed, where we did meaningful work, take care of our clients and staff and where we could have fun!”
While V&A was founded in 1979, it had been in development in the mind of Jose Villalobos for much longer. In fact, Jose knew he wanted to be an entrepreneur as early as the 6th grade and knew he wanted to be an engineer nearly as early in his life. As the child of immigrant parents, Jose’s mother enlivened his entrepreneurial spirit at an early age. The clarity and direction this gave his life is something he will always be grateful for.
“I had an opportunity to work in a lot of places while I was growing up, when I was in elementary school, high school, and college. I found that those organizations that considered everyone’s input before making decisions were the most successful. I wanted that for V&A.”
After receiving a Master of Science in Engineering, focused on Environmental Engineering/Sanitary Engineering, from Stanford University, Jose joined Kennedy Engineering and soon became one of only 2 engineers to take and pass the corrosion engineer test in the state of California. Though he was in a great position, his time at Kennedy had given him important exposure to water and wastewater design, as well as insight and exposure to operating a business. His drive to start his own firm with a specialized focus in corrosion engineering grew. At 30 years old, a married father of a young child and his second child on the way, Jose left a “perfectly good job,” took the leap, and started his own engineering consulting firm.
V&A’s first project was the Marina Hotel in Burlingame, California, a 5-year consulting assignment. However, even with his drive, early clear direction, unique expertise, and many loyal supporters, Jose and his firm’s journey to 43 years in business would face early adversity.
The years following V&A’s beginning were a struggle as they were for most businesses. In fact, from 1980 to 1983 the world experienced a severe recession brought on by the 1979 energy crisis. High-interest rates and high unemployment made it a tough time to be a small business. “Things were bad,” Jose recalled. “Without work, we weren’t going to be able to continue operating. I received a call from John Linda with the City of Sunnyvale… I got in the car and drove to Sunnyvale. As a result, V&A was awarded an assessment and rehabilitation of 9 water tanks just in time.”
These situations always seemed to work themselves out over the life of the firm. Jose has always placed a high priority on the needs of clients and maintaining high technical integrity. Doing so enabled V&A to become the trusted advisor to cities, counties, and water and wastewater agencies throughout the country.
Jose consistently gives credit for his and V&A’s success to his mentors, associates, and partners and those willing to take a chance on him, his skill set, and vision. He gives special acknowledgment to Mark Tam, an incredibly dedicated and hardworking associate that gave his entire career to V&A, and to Kim Costa for being a dedicated team member who always focused on keeping our finances in order. Jose remembers fondly getting the team together for lunches at Chimy’s Restaurant, which was a rare treat given the team’s heavy workload.
“When I started V&A, we did not have laptop computers, the internet, smartphones or GIS. However, the basic engineering principles have not changed. ”
Key Moments in V&A’s History:
V&A experienced a few defining moments in our history. Our DEC Consultants acquisition in 2007 in San Diego and the OCTC in 2010 in Texas represent two important growth moments, allowing V&A to offer a complete specialty of interrelated services.
In 2012, V&A supported long-time customer Orange County Sanitation District. Jose and Manny Najar, P.E., supported an intense and critical rehabilitation while California’s largest sewage treatment plant shut down for a 24-hour narrow time window. The small team pulled an all-nighter that included sandblasting and coating a 72-inch pipe. The project was completed with moments to spare and resulted in long-term corrosion protection for the plant.
V&A Leadership Team, Holiday Party 2021
Jose was introduced to Debra Kaye, P.E. in 2013 via a long-time colleague, Ray Yep. It was an important connection in which Jose recognized Debbie’s civil engineering expertise, her experience in water, combined with her interpersonal and leadership abilities, and he felt she could be a great asset to V&A. Debbie’s joining the firm in 2015, her promotion to President and CEO in 2017 and ultimate ownership transition of the firm in 2019 has secured the continued growth of the firm.
What’s next for Jose
Following a bright and dynamic career as an engineer, entrepreneur, and inventor, Jose is entering semi-retirement and still setting his sights on having a unique impact. “I am very excited about the next phase of my life. I have started a new Forensic Engineering Consulting Firm, JLV Wolf Inc., that will focus on assisting owners and engineers with cases involving the deterioration of concrete and corrosion of metals at wastewater facilities in the United States.”
Jose is making more time for fun, including enjoying his family and traveling the United States in an RV. He and his travel companions have plans to visit all 50 states, having already completed month-long stays in Alaska, Nevada, and Texas. He also invests his time in voice and piano lessons with the Music Teachers Association of California. Not unlike his engineering pursuits, Jose has a clear goal to pass the level ten exam for piano. He is preparing for the level three exam in March 2023.
V&A has built a reputation for being diligent in our pursuit of engineering solutions that increase value to our customers and extend the life of key infrastructure. As Debbie Kaye continues to lead the team into the next phase of V&A, we are committed to furthering Jose’s original vision and growing his legacy.
Celebrate with us! In the comments section below, share your favorite story from working with Jose and V&A over our many years in business, as well as your well-wishes for Jose in this next phase of his career.